While writing thank-you notes can be a painful and times-taking process, gift-givers need to be thanked and should be thanked properly and meaningfully. After all, they did go out of their way to give you a gift (no matter how hideous that knit sweater may be!) The art of writing thank you notes is not as difficult as it seems. Thank you notes do not have to be long but they should express sincere gratitude. The most important thing to remember when writing a thank you is that it must be personal and meaningful. Here you have the opportunity to express your heartfelt thanks to the person you have received a gift from. Here are some tips to remember:
1. Be timely with sending your notes. When thanking for dinner or a luncheon, the note should be sent the next day. For wedding and shower gifts, the notes should be sent after coming back from the honeymoon or within a month. Contrary to some beliefs, it is not appropriate to wait up to a year to send thank you notes for wedding gifts! Always send thank you notes to people who interviewed or met with you with regards to a job opportunity by the very next day. Write it immediately after getting home and get it in the mail that day if possible, and no later than the next day.
2. Hand-write all thank you notes. It is not appropriate to send thank you notes by email or to send generic thank you notes done by a computer program. Use appropriate stationary according to the occasion. For example, wedding thank you notes could be done on stationary to match your theme, your new names printed on the front of the card or even personal stationary with your new names and address professionally printed as the header of the paper if using paper rather than a card.
3. Start each thank you note with a personal note to the receiver. For example, let the person know how much you enjoyed getting together with them. “Dear Uncle Ted and Aunt Sally, It was wonderful to see you at our wedding, especially after so long. We truly appreciate the long trek you took to be with us on our special day.”
4. Express your gratitude two to three times during the note. For example, “The vase you gave us is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and generous gift.”
5. Explain how you are going to use the gift, if appropriate. For money, share with the gift giver how you are planning to use it. We have been saving up for a new car and plan to use the gift you gave us towards this.” “With your generous gift we purchased a new sofa to furnish the living room in our new home.” For gifts such as vases, picture frames or other items to be placed around the home, explain where you have placed the item, what room in your home it is or what is displayed in the gift. We have placed the beautiful green glass vase you gave us in our living room. We have received so many compliments on it and think of you often when we see it.” Here are some sample thank you notes:
For a wedding thank you for a gift:
Dear Uncle Al and Aunt Jane:
It was wonderful to see you at our wedding. It was great to be able to spend some time with you and catch up. Our wedding was more meaningful to have you there and we truly appreciate the long trip you took to be with us.
Thank you for the beautiful green glass vase you gave us. We were touched to learn that it is a family heirloom and will treasure it always. We have placed it in our living room for everyone to see and have received so many compliments on the beauty of the vase.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful and thoughtful gift.
Thank you note for wedding money:
Dear Harry and Laura,
It was wonderful to get together after so long. We were so happy to be able to share our special day with you.
We really appreciate the gift you gave us for our wedding. We plan to use the money we have received towards our first house. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness.
Thank you note for baby shower gift:
Dear Rachel,
It was wonderful to see you at my baby shower. Thank you for sharing my special day. I truly was surprised when I walked in the room and saw all my family and friends there! Thank you for the beautiful blanket you knitted. I have already put it in the baby’s crib and can’t wait to be able to wrap it around our new little girl when she is born!
It was so generous and thoughtful of you and I truly appreciate the time you took to make such a beautiful gift. I will remember your thoughtfulness every time I cover the baby with it and will send you a photo once she is born. Thank you so much for giving us such a special gift.
Hospitality Thank you:
Thank you so much for including us in your dinner party. John and I had a wonderful time in your lovely home. Dinner was truly delicious and you once again demonstrated your incredible hospitality. We had so much fun playing Charades and getting to know your neighbors. We look forward to having you over our home soon.
Sympathy Thank you Note for Flowers:
Thank you for the beautiful flower arrangement you sent to my father’s funeral home. Roses were his favorite flower and I know he would have enjoyed their beauty. Our family appreciates your thoughtfulness and prayers at this time. Thank you so much.
General Sympathy Thank You Note:
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Your generosity and support during this difficult time is greatly appreciated. Our family appreciates your thoughtfulness at this time.
Thank You for Birthday Gift:
Thank you for the lovely birthday gift. The frame looks beautiful on my wall and I appreciate that you remembered my birthday. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Thank You for Assistance:
Thank you for the time you spent helping me prepare for my exam. I realize you are busy and I truly appreciate the time you took to help me out. I will never forget it.
Thank You for a Truly Awful Gift or a Gift You Don’t Like:
Thank you so much for the sweater you knit for me. It is so bright and colorful! I am sure that it will keep me warm in the coming winter months and that I will get many comments about it. Thank you for the time and energy you put into making such a special gift for me. I will think of you every time I wear it.
Thank You for a Lunch:
I enjoyed getting together with you for lunch today. It was great fun to catch up and look at the photos you brought of your family. Thank you for treating me to such a delicious lunch. I look forward to getting together with you for lunch soon, my treat.
Thank You for Interview:
Dear Mr. Smith:
Thank you for meeting with me today in regards to the position of Director of XYZ agency. It was an informative interview and I enjoyed learning more about the agency. I felt a strong rapport with you and Mrs. Holly during our interview. I am more convinced than ever that I will fit in well with the agency and be able to promote the mission of XYZ agency with great ardor with the skills and experience that I will contribute.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at 555-1212 if I can provide any further assistance with regards to my qualifications or references.
I appreciate the time you and Ms. Holly took to meet with me today. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
James Hill
While not every example here will apply to your specific situation, you can take these examples and change or alter them to make them applicable. Remember, make it meaningful and personal and let your words come from your heart. You want to be able to express your appreciation as well as you can. Even if the note is not as eloquent as you would like, if it is from your heart and expresses true appreciation you will have done the job right.
